To approve as a
correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 4
February 2013.

Minutes:

The Minutes (copies of
which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 4 February 2013 were approved as a correct
record and signed by the Chair.

2.

Declarations of Interest

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which
they have in any of the items on the agenda for the
meeting.

Minutes:

No declarations of
interest were made.

3.

Urgent Decisions

To
report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the
last meeting of the Committee.

Minutes:

No urgent decisions
were reported.

4.

Public Question Time

Members of the public
are invited to put questions to the Chair and Executive Councillors
on any matters within the powers and duties of the Executive,
subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of
Practice. (Questions must
be submitted no later than 30 minutes prior to the commencement of
the meeting on the card provided.
These are available at the meeting and at local libraries and
information centres. You can also submit via the Council’s
website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions)

Minutes:

Members of the public
were invited to put questions to the Executive on any matters
within its powers and duties, subject to the exclusions set out in
the Code of Practice.

Two questions had been
submitted by members of the public who were not present at the
meeting. It was stated that, in accordance with the Code of
Practice, a written response would be provided.

5.

Exclusion of the Public and the Public Interest Test

To consider whether it
is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of the
following agenda items:

·
Item 20 ‘Stockport Business Incubator’ which contains
information “not for publication by virtue of Category 3
‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of
any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out
in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and to consider any
representations received to the notice of the intention to consider
exempt information at this meeting.

At the time of publication no
representations have been received.

·
Item 18 ‘Housing Benefit Overpayments, Non-Domestic Rates and
Sundry Debt Write Off Over £10,000’ which contains
information “not for publication” in its appendix by
virtue of Category 1 'information relating to an individual' and
Category 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business
affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’
as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

(Note: it had not been
possible to provide 28 days’ notice of the intention to
consider exempt information contained in this report. The Chair of
the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny
Committee has given his consent to this requirement to be waived on
the grounds that consideration of the report could not reasonably
be deferred because the write-offs needed to be
agreed before the end of the current financial year in order for
them to be properly accounted for in the 2012/13
Accounts)

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That
in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for
publication as defined in Category 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local
Government Act 1972 (as amended), the disclosure of which would not
be in the public interest, would not be fair and would be in breach
of Data Protection principles, the public be excluded from the
meeting during consideration of the following items:-

·
‘Housing Benefit Overpayments, Non-Domestic Rates and Sundry
Debt Write Off Over £10,000’ which contains information
“not for publication” in its appendix by virtue of
Category 1 'information relating to an individual' and Category 3
‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of
any particular person (including the authority)’ (see Minute
18 below).

·
‘Stockport Business Incubator’ which contains
information “not for publication by virtue of Category 3
‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of
any particular person (including the authority)’ (see Minute
19 below).

To consider a report
of the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance Scrutiny
Committee

The report is the
final report of the Corporate, Resource Management & Governance
Scrutiny Committee’s review into making access to information
about the Council, about services, about local environments and
about Stockport as easy as possible to as many people as
possible.

The Executive is invited to receive the report and agree that a
formal response be submitted to the next Executive Meeting.

The Lead Councillor
(Councillor Philip Harding) of the Scrutiny Review “Making
the Best Use of the Local Information System (LIS)” attended
the meeting to present the final report of the Review (copies of
which had been circulated).

RESOLVED – That
the Corporate Director for Corporate and Support Services be
requested to provide a response to the “Making the Best Use
of the Local Information System (LIS)” Scrutiny Review for
consideration by the Executive Meeting.

(2) That gratitude
be recorded for the excellent work
undertaken by the “Making the Best Use of the Local
Information System (LIS)” Scrutiny Review Panel and others
involved in the review.

To consider a joint report of the Leader of
the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) and the Executive
Councillor (Governance & Corporate Services)

This report provides
an update on progress in delivering the Council’s priorities
and budget at the third quarter of 2012/13, including full-year
financial and performance forecasts. It is supported by ten
Portfolio Performance and Resource Reports, which are published as
background papers and will be considered by the next cycle of
Scrutiny Committee meetings.

The revenue budget is
forecasting an increased surplus of £5.110m, with five
portfolios contributing to a cash-limits surplus of over £2m
while reduced capital financing costs are contributing to a
non-cash limit surplus of over £3m.

Three quarters of
priority measures are forecast to improve or maintain performance
this year, with 72% forecast to meet or exceed targets.

b) Approve the
virements to the Revenue Budget set out
in section 2.2 of the report.

c) Note the
cash limit and non-cash limit forecast outturn positions for
2012/13 as set out in sections 2.3, 2.5 and 2.6 of the report.

d) Note the
Retained Schools Budget and Housing Revenue Account forecast
outturn positions as set out in sections 2.7 and 2.8 of the
report.

e) Note and
approve the contributions to/from earmarked reserves and balances
as set out in section 2.9 of the report including the
recommendations set out at paragraph 2.9.6 in relation to transfers
to the MTFS Reserve, the Solutions SK Trading Reserve and General
Fund Balances.

f) Note
the forecast outturn for the 2012/13 Capital Programme as set out
in section 3.1 of the report.

g) Approve the
changes to the Capital Programme as set out in paragraph 3.1.4

h) Approve the
resourcing of the Capital Programme as set out in section 3.4.

i)
Identify key areas for further investigation and responsibility for
taking forward corrective action to address any existing or
forecast issues or risks.

A joint report of the
Leader of the Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) and the
Executive Councillor (Governance & Corporate Services) was
submitted (copies of which had been circulated) providing the
Executive Meeting with an update on progress in delivering the
Council’s priorities and budget at the third quarter of
2012/13, including full-year financial and performance
forecasts

The revenue budget was
forecasting an increased surplus of £5.110m, with five
portfolios contributing to a cash-limits surplus of over £2m
while reduced capital financing costs were contributing to a
non-cash limit surplus of over £3m.

Three quarters of
priority measures were forecast to improve or maintain performance
this year, with 72% forecast to meet or exceed targets.

·
the virements to the Revenue Budget set
out in section 2.2 of the report be approved;

·
the cash limit and non-cash limit forecast outturn positions for
2012/13 as set out in sections 2.3, 2.5 and 2.6 of the report be
noted;

·
the Retained Schools Budget and Housing Revenue Account forecast
outturn positions as set out in sections 2.7 and 2.8 of the report
be noted;

·
the contributions to/from earmarked reserves and balances as set
out in section 2.9 of the report including the recommendations set
out at paragraph 2.9.6 in relation to transfers to the MTFS
Reserve, the Solutions SK Trading Reserve and General Fund Balances
be noted and approved;

·
the forecast outturn for the 2012/13 Capital Programme as set out
in section 3.1 of the report be noted;

·
the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in paragraph 3.1.4
be approved; and

·the resourcing of the Capital Programme
as set out in section 3.4 be approved.

The Executive
Councillor (Governance and Corporate Services) submitted a report
(copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive
Meeting to consider an overview of complaints received in the third
quarter of 2013/14, including comparisons with previous quarters
and the lessons learnt from these complaints.

RESOLVED – That
performance in relation to complaints received in the third quarter
of 2012/13 be noted.

To consider a report of the Leader of the
Council (Policy, Reform & Finance)

The report details
performance and activity of the Council's Treasury Management
function for the third quarter of 2012/13, outlining how the
economy has changed during the year and how the Treasury Management
function has responded to this.

Investment performance
has been sustained throughout the third quarter of the financial
year and the Council continues to make a respectable investment
return despite prevailing low interest rates.

The
Executive is invited to receive this report in line with best
practice guidelines.

The Leader of the
Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report (copies
of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to
consider performance in the third quarter of 2012/13 in relation to
the Treasury Management function.

RESOLVED – That,
in line with best practice guidelines the report be received and
performance in respect of the Treasury Management function be
noted.

To consider a report of the Leader of the
Council (Policy, Reform & Finance)

The Council Meeting
approved the Council’s existing Medium Term Financial
Strategy on 24 February 2011. The purpose of this report is to
review and update the existing strategy in support of the 2013/17
Medium Term Financial Plan and, in particular, the 2013/14 budget
setting process.

A review of the
existing strategy is timely given the major developments that have
occurred within the local government finance arena including the
introduction of a new finance regime and retained business
rates.

The Executive is
asked to recommend that the Council Meeting adopts the updated
Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Leader of the
Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report (copies
of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to
consider a reviewed and updated Medium Term Financial Strategy in
support of the 2013/17 Medium Term Financial Plan and, in
particular, the 2013/14 budget setting process. A review of the
existing strategy was considered timely given the major
developments that have occurred within the local government finance
arena including the introduction of a new finance regime and
retained business rates.

RESOLVED – That
the Council Meeting be recommended to adopt the updated Medium Term
Financial Strategy.

To consider a report of the Leader of the
Council (Policy, Reform & Finance)

Following the
announcement of the 2013/14 final local government finance
settlement and 2014/15 revised provisional settlement on 4 February
2013, this report updates the forecasts for the Council’s
finances for the period 2013/14 to 2016/17 taking as its starting
point the position set out in the previous report considered by the
Executive at its meeting on 7 January 2013.

The report will inform
the development of a balanced and sustainable budget for 2013/14,
an updated Medium Term Financial Plan through to 2014/15 and a
longer term forecast moving into the next Comprehensive Spending
Review period up to 2016/17.

At this stage the best
estimate of the reductions necessary to bring forecast spending
down to match likely resource levels suggests that, in addition to
the package of savings approved in December, further budget
reductions of around £4.716m are required for 2013/14 and
that the cumulative on-going savings requirement to 2014/15 will
amount to some £14.598m.

The Executive is recommended to:

·Note the details of the 2013/14 final local government
finance settlement and 2014/15 provisional settlement, in
particular, the authority’s Start-Up Funding Allocation and
Business Rates Baseline figures;

·Note, and comment upon as appropriate, the financial
forecasts for 2013/14 to 2016/17, and the key issues to be
addressed in formulating a response to the financial challenges
facing the Council;

·Approve the indicative budget adjustments as set out at
paragraph 6.3;

·Note the indicative cumulative savings requirement for
2013/14 of £4.716m and £14.598m for 2014/15 and the
‘post CSR’ forecasts to 2016/17.

Minutes:

The Leader of the
Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report (copies
of which had been circulated) updating the Executive Meeting on the
forecasts for the Council’s finances for the period 2013/14
to 2016/17 taking as its starting point the position set out in the
previous report considered by the Executive at its meeting on 7
January 2013. The report had been revised following the
announcement of the 2013/14 final local government finance
settlement and 2014/15 revised provisional settlement on 4 February
2013.

The information
contained in the report had informed the development of a balanced
and sustainable budget for 2013/14, an updated Medium Term
Financial Plan through to 2014/15 and a longer term forecast moving
into the next Comprehensive Spending Review period up to 2016/17.
At this stage the best estimate of the reductions necessary to
bring forecast spending down to match likely resource levels
suggests that, in addition to the package of savings approved in
December 2012, further budget reductions of approximately
£4.716m were required for 2013/14 and that the cumulative
on-going savings requirement to 2014/15 would amount to
approximately £14.598m.

RESOLVED –
That

·
the details of the 2013/14 final local government finance
settlement and 2014/15 provisional settlement, in particular, the
authority’s Start-Up Funding Allocation and Business Rates
Baseline figures be noted;

·
the financial forecasts for 2013/14 to 2016/17, and the key issues
to be addressed in formulating a response to the financial
challenges facing the Council be noted;

·
the indicative budget adjustments as set out at paragraph 6.3 be
approved;

To consider a report of the Leader of the
Council (Policy, Reform & Finance)

The proposals set out
in this report take as their starting point the updated forecasts
and indicative spending plans contained in the report of the
Corporate Director, Corporate and Support Services (‘Medium
Term Financial Plan – Financial Landscape and Forecasts
2013/14 to 2016/17) which is included elsewhere on the agenda. The
proposals represent the second phase of the programme to address
the need to make significant budget reductions over the next two
years and beyond, building on the measures agreed by the Executive
in December.

The Corporate
Director’s report includes financial forecasts for the next
four years, including sensitivity analyses, and identifies
remaining savings requirements based on a number of factors and
assumptions. The forecasts suggest that reductions of around of
around £4.716m are required for 2013/14 and that the
cumulative on-going savings requirement to 2014/15 will amount to
some £14.598m

In response to the
forecasts contained in that report the Executive (in conjunction
with the Wider Leadership Team) has developed revised spending
plans and has drawn up further savings proposals for the next two
years which total £11.984m. At this stage it is anticipated
that £4.473m worth of these savings will be delivered during
2013/14, following a period of consultation. Together with the
utilisation of New Homes Bonus resources the successful
implementation of the proposed measures would enable a balanced
budget to be set for 2013/14 and would reduce the estimated savings
requirement for 2014/15 to around £2.6m.

In
respect of the additional savings proposals set out in section five
of the report and summarised at Appendix Three, the Executive is
recommended to:

·agree the savings proposals for consultation;

·ask the Chief Executive and Corporate / Service
Directors, in consultation with the relevant executive councillors,
to undertake the appropriate consultation exercises and to develop
implementation plans, including impact and risk assessments, to
facilitate the delivery of the proposals set out in this
report;

·agree that the proposals be re-submitted for the
Executive’s approval at its meeting in July, together with
the outcomes of the consultation exercises;

·report to all scrutiny committees in the next cycle
outlining the savings proposals relating to the specific scrutiny
committee’s remit.

The Executive is also recommended to:

·approve the proposed treatment of NHS Funding for
Social Care, Public Health Grant and New Homes Bonus as set out in
paragraphs 4.15 to 4.23;

·approve amendments to the schedule of Fees and Charges
for 2013/14 as set out in Annex One

In
respect of the Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Medium Term
Financial Plan, the Executive is asked to recommend that the
Council Meeting:

·agrees the Budget for 2013/14 set out in Appendix
Five;

·Notes and comments upon the financial forecasts for
2014/15 to 2016/17 (Appendix Six), and the key issues to be
addressed in formulating a response to the continuing financial
challenges facing the Council;

·passes the appropriate Council Tax resolutions which
produce a Council Tax increase of 2.5% for Council services as
illustrated at Appendix Eleven;

·approves the 2013/14 to 2015/16 capital programme and
the funding arrangements set out at Appendix Nine;

·approves the prudential indicators set out in Appendix
Ten;

·approves the work being carried out on the development
of capital projects to enable the Executive to be able to review
revise and extend its capital programme during 2013/14;

·notes the risk assessment of the budget at Appendix
Seven and the report of the Corporate Director, Corporate and
Support Services on the adequacy of proposed financial reserves and
robustness of the estimates included at Appendix Eight.

The Leader of the
Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report (copies
of which had been circulated) submitted a report (copies of which
had been circulated) setting out proposals that would form the
second phase of the programme to address the need to make
significant budget reductions over the next two years and beyond,
building on the measures agreed by the Executive in December 2012.
The proposals took as their starting point the updated forecasts
and indicative spending plans contained in the report of the
‘Medium Term Financial Plan – Financial Landscape and
Forecasts 2013/14 to 2016/17’. The forecasts suggested
reductions of approximately £4.716m were required for 2013/14
and that the cumulative on-going savings requirement to 2014/15
would amount to £14.598m

Further savings
proposals had been developed for the next two years totaling £11.984m. It was anticipated that
£4.473m worth of these savings would be delivered during
2013/14, following a period of consultation. Together with the
utilisation of New Homes Bonus resources the successful
implementation of the proposed measures would enable a balanced
budget to be set for 2013/14 and would reduce the estimated savings
requirement for 2014/15 to around £2.6m.

RESOLVED – (1)
That, in respect of the additional savings proposals set out in
section five of the report and summarised at Appendix Three

·
the savings proposals be agreed for consultation;

·
the Chief Executive and Corporate / Service Directors, in
consultation with the relevant executive councillors, be requested
to undertake the appropriate consultation exercises and to develop
implementation plans, including impact and risk assessments, to
facilitate the delivery of the proposals set out in this
report;

·
the proposals be re-submitted for the Executive’s approval at
its meeting in July, together with the outcomes of the consultation
exercises;

·all scrutiny committees receive a report
in the next cycle outlining the savings proposals relating to the
specific scrutiny committee’s remit.

(2) That approval
be given to:

·
the proposed treatment of NHS Funding for Social Care, Public
Health Grant and New Homes Bonus as set out in paragraphs 4.15 to
4.23;

·
the amendments to the schedule of Fees and Charges for 2013/14 as
set out in Annex One

(3) That, in respect
of the Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Medium Term Financial
Plan, the Council Meeting be recommended
to:

·
agree the Budget for 2013/14 set out in Appendix Five;

·
note and comment upon the financial forecasts for 2014/15 to
2016/17 (Appendix Six), and the key issues to be addressed in
formulating a response to the continuing financial challenges
facing the Council;

·
pass the appropriate Council Tax resolutions which produce a
Council Tax increase of 2.5% for Council services as illustrated at
Appendix Eleven;

·
approve the 2013/14 to 2015/16 capital programme and the funding
arrangements set out at Appendix Nine;

·
approve the prudential indicators set out in Appendix Ten;

·
approve the work being carried out on the development of capital
projects to enable the Executive to be able to review revise and
extend its capital programme during 2013/14;

·note the risk assessment of the budget
at Appendix Seven and the report of the Corporate Director,
Corporate and Support Services on the adequacy of proposed
financial reserves and robustness of the estimates included at
Appendix Eight.

To consider a report of the Leader of the
Council (Policy, Reform & Finance)

This comprehensive
report proposes the 2013/14 Treasury Management Strategy,
Investment Strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy and prudent
and sustainable Treasury and Prudential Indicators which are
constructed in compliance with the CIPFA Code.

The first part of the
report details the Council’s Capital expenditure plans which
are a key driver to the long-term borrowing aspect of treasury
management activity and strategy; these are reflected in a number
of prudential and treasury indicators. The report goes on to show
how capital is charged to revenue in the Minimum Revenue Provision
(MRP) Policy and the fundamentals of the Council’s investment
policy and strategies for 2013/14.

The report provides an
economic commentary and interest rate forecast, detailing likely
scenarios for the economy and financial markets in
2013/14. The critical objective of the
Annual Investment Strategy for 2013/14 is to deliver a clear and
explanatory investment strategy to Members, but also provides the
treasury function with sufficient options to be able to operate in
normal circumstances. This will allow some flexibility to be
available should the investment markets become more difficult.

The Leader of the
Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report (copies
of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to
consider the 2013/14 Treasury Management Strategy, Investment
Strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy and prudent and
sustainable Treasury and Prudential Indicators which had been
constructed in compliance with the CIPFA Code.

RESOLVED – That,
in respect of the Treasury Management Strategy, Investment
Strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy, the Council Meeting be
recommended to approve:

The Health and Social
Care Act, passed in March 2012, provided a critical step in the
transition towards the establishment of a new public health system,
founded upon improving health in the local community through joint
programmes driven by leadership from local government. The new
system, which is due to be fully implemented in April 2013, will
see responsibility for public health transfer from the NHS to
Stockport Council. As such Stockport Council will take the lead for
improving health, co-ordinating local efforts to protect the
public’s health and ensuring health services promote
population health.

The report details the
operational activities that have taken place to secure the
successful transition of this responsibility including the TUPE
arrangements for NHS Public Health staff and the transfer of Public
Health contracts.

The Executive is recommended to:

• Agree to the
Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations
2006 (TUPE) transfers between the PCT
and Council and note the results of the various consultation
exercises

• Agree that the
acceptance of the Contracts Transfer Scheme, which will take place
at the end of March 2013 is delegated to the Chief Executive in
consultation with the relevant Executive Councillors.

• Agree that any
public health contracts that are not covered by the Transfer Scheme
and which are of a value in excess of the Council’s
contracting and tendering procedures and delegation will be subject
to an Urgent Decision.

The Executive Councillor (Health &
Wellbeing) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated)
inviting the Executive Meeting to consider the proposals for the
transfer of responsibility for public health from the NHS to the
Council, in line with the Health & Social Care Act 2012. From 1
April 2013 the Council would take the lead for improving health,
co-ordinating local efforts to protect the public’s health
and ensuring health services promote population health. The report
details the operational activities that have taken place to secure
the successful transition of this responsibility including the TUPE
arrangements for NHS Public Health staff and the transfer of Public
Health.

RESOLVED – That
approval be given to the following in relation to the transfer of
responsibility for public health from the NHS to Stockport
Council:-

·
the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations
2006 (TUPE) transfers between the PCT
and Council and the results of the various consultation exercises
be noted;

·
the acceptance of the Contracts Transfer Scheme, which will take
place at the end of March 2013, be delegated to the Chief Executive
in consultation with the relevant executive councillors;

·any public health contracts that are not
covered by the Transfer Scheme and which were of a value in excess
of the Council’s contracting and tendering procedures and
delegation be subject to an Urgent Decision.

To consider a report
of the Executive Councillor (Economic Development &
Regeneration)

This report provides
an update on the progress of the first phase of the consultation on
the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road scheme and the proposed
next stages in the development of the scheme.

The Executive is recommended to approve:

·that a report is prepared on the first
phase of the consultation process and a proposed preferred scheme
is prepared for consideration by Scrutiny and the Executive in
spring 2013 and that work commences on developing the second phase
of public consultation for the preferred scheme and

·that work continues on developing the
draft documents to accompany the proposed planning application for
the scheme.

The Executive
Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) submitted a
report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Executive
Meeting on the progress of the first phase of the consultation on
the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road scheme and the proposed
next stages in the development of the scheme.

RESOLVED – That,
in respect of the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road

·
a report be prepared on the first phase of the consultation process
and a proposed preferred scheme be prepared for consideration by
relevant scrutiny committees and the Executive in spring 2013 and
that work commences on developing the second phase of public
consultation for the preferred scheme; and

·work continue on developing the draft
documents to accompany the proposed planning application for the
scheme.

To consider a report
of the Executive Councillor (Governance & Corporate
Services)

The Local Government
Finance Act 1988 requires the Council to maintain a Discretionary
Rate Relief Scheme to award up to 100% Business Rates Relief to
certain organisations which operate within set criteria which are
detailed in this report.

This report sets out
the details of the scheme, the current cost to the Council, and the
criteria by which the Council will be guided when deciding whether
or not to award Discretionary Rate Relief.

The Executive is
asked to approve

·The
criteria at Appendix 1to be retained and the existing scheme of 20%
‘Top-Up’ continue for CASC
organisations.

·For Not
for Profit Organisations - that any organisation which fulfills the
criteria at Appendix 2 should receive a 50% Discretionary Rate
Relief.

·For
Village Shops - that they become part of any future Local Discount
Scheme

·That
consideration be given to, where possible, converting appropriate
future awards made through the Main
Grant Scheme into local Business Rates discount either as a
stand-alone discount or as a top-up to an existing discount , such
as the mandatory discount for charities; and.

·That
consideration be given to a local discount scheme being
developed

The Leader of the
Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report (copies
of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to
agree a Rate Relief Scheme to provide Business Rates Relief to
certain organisations. The report sets out the details of the
scheme, the current cost to the Council, and the criteria by which
the Council will be guided when deciding whether or not to award
Discretionary Rate Relief.

·
the criteria detailed at Appendix 1 be retained and the existing
scheme of 20% ‘Top-Up’ continue for CASC
organisations;

·
Not for Profit Organisations (organisations which fulfill the criteria at Appendix 2) receive a 50%
Discretionary Rate Relief;

·
Village Shops become part of any future Local Discount Scheme

·
consideration be given to, where possible, converting appropriate
future awards made through the Main
Grant Scheme into local Business Rates discount either as a
stand-alone discount or as a top-up to an existing discount , such
as the mandatory discount for charities; and

The Leader of the
Council (Policy, Reform & Finance) submitted a report (copies
of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive Meeting to
consider a replacement appointment to the Stockport District
Citizens’ Advice Bureau and to extend all previously agreed
nominations and appointments.

RESOLVED – (1)
That all previously agreed nomination and appointments to outside
bodies for 2012/13 be extended until the Executive Meeting on 11
June 2013 to ensure the Council has representations on these
bodies.

(2) That Councillor
Patrick McAuley be nominated to replace
Councillor Sue Ingham on the Stockport District Citizens’
Advice Bureau.

The Executive
Councillor (Governance & Corporate Services) submitted a report
(copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive
Meeting to consider writing-off outstanding debts to the Council
with a value of over £10K which were considered to be
irrecoverable.

(NOTE: the report
included information ‘Not for Publication’ contained
within its appendix that had been circulated to executive
councillors only)

RESOLVED – That
the following debts be written off as irrecoverable:-

·
Housing Benefit overpayment of £14,043.27 as the debtor has
absconded and cannot be traced;

·
Housing Benefit overpayment of £18,695.00 as the debtor has
absconded and in addition the paperwork necessary for further
County Court action is no longer available due to the passage of
time;

·
Housing Benefit overpayment of £25,162.84 as the company has
been dissolved;

·
outstanding sundry debt of £10,612.50 as the liable
organisation no longer exists;

·
Non Domestic Rates debt of £25,134.45 as the debtor has
absconded and cannot be traced;

·
Non Domestic Rates debt of £15,988.41 as the debtor has
absconded and cannot be traced;

·
Non Domestic Rates of £29,455.24 as the debtor has absconded
and cannot be traced;

·
Non Domestic Rates of £33,228.39 as the debtor has absconded
and cannot be traced;

·
Non Domestic Rates of £10,489.33 as the debtor has absconded
and cannot be traced; and

·
Non Domestic Rates of £12,334.13 as the debtor has absconded
and cannot be traced.

To consider a report
of the Executive Councillor (Economic Development &
Regeneration)

This report updates
the Executive on proposals for Stockport Business Incubator,
including an application for £0.4m of European Regional
Development Fund (ERDF) funding to support investment in enhanced
business incubator services, with a view to attracting and growing
high growth new and existing small businesses.

(Note: the report
contains information 'not for publication' and has been circulated
to executive councillors only)

The Executive is recommended to approve, subject to securing ERDF
funding, the appointment of the organisation identified in the
report as the new incubation service provider at Stockport Business
Incubator, delivering management and business incubation services
to tenants of Stockport Business Incubator.

The Executive
Councillor (Economic Development & Regeneration) submitted a
report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive
Meeting to consider proposals for the future management of the
Stockport Business Incubator.

RESOLVED – That
approval be given, subject to securing European Regional
Development Funding, to the appointment of the organisation
identified in the report as the new incubator services provider to
deliver management and business incubation services to tenants of
the at Stockport Business Incubator.